mirror

1 of 2

noun

mir·​ror ˈmir-ər How to pronounce mirror (audio)
ˈmi-rər
1
: a polished or smooth surface (as of glass) that forms images by reflection
She looked at herself in the mirror.
2
a
: something that gives a true representation
the press as a mirror of public opinionC. G. Bowers
b
: an exemplary model
She is the mirror of feminine beauty.
mirrored
ˈmir-ərd How to pronounce mirror (audio)
ˈmi-rərd
ˈmir-əd
ˈmi-rəd
adjective
mirrorlike
ˈmir-ər-ˌlīk How to pronounce mirror (audio)
ˈmi-rər-
adjective

mirror

2 of 2

verb

mirrored; mirroring; mirrors

transitive verb

1
: to reflect in or as if in a mirror
2

Examples of mirror in a Sentence

Noun breaking a mirror is supposed to bring seven years of bad luck Verb The building was mirrored in the lake. the still waters of the pond mirroring the cloudless sky above
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The gym has expanded to not only have cardio and weight machines, but also a stretching room with mirrors for the yogis. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024 In one shot, a blue and green light fixture draws the eye to the center of the room, followed by another snap of Ripa posing in a mirror as the black-and-white floors and signature arches can be seen in the background. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024 The Haute Voiture is enormous, nearly 7 feet wide at the mirrors. Sean Evans, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024 Once it’s all done, they’re supposed to inspect the work with a mirror and clean up any debris the process has left in the customer’s $99,000-plus truck that came with an untrustworthy accelerator pedal. Richard Lawler, The Verge, 20 Apr. 2024 Everybody except the men in the mirrors on Miami’s roster, evidently? Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024 Later, some appeared to spend an unusual amount of time in front of the mirror, examining their bodies. Evan Bush, NBC News, 19 Apr. 2024 Their discussion traverses Fassbinder’s exploration of societal dynamics, dissecting themes of violence, race, class, and identity, underscored by a visual style that prominently features the symbolic use of mirrors. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024 And that warms my heart because that’s the mirror effect. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
Verb
When Curb Your Enthusiasm concluded earlier this month, its series finale mirrored many of the details from Seinfeld‘s 1998 finale, with both shows featuring their main characters on trial for breaking a recondite local law. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024 If the Nuggets face the Timberwolves in the second round, Rudy Gobert’s minutes will likely be mirrored with Jokic’s because Minnesota needs to try neutralizing Jokic at the other end of the floor. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2024 In honor of this milestone race, here’s another just-for-fun idea: Go on a bar crawl mirroring the length of the Kentucky Derby. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024 The messages seemed to confirm some fans’ theories that the playlists mirrored the five stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance — indicating that the new album may grapple with grief or loss. Saba Hamedy, NBC News, 19 Apr. 2024 The potential eight-week trial is expected to mirror the trial of his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024 In Pirch’s situation, layoff notices were filed and effective on the same date — April 4 — an abruptness that mirrors the sudden shuttering of all its stores across Southern California in March. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024 Terms of the new deal largely mirror the last one passed by commissioners in 2023, said Todd LaSala, an economic development lawyer for the Unified Government. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024 In the end, Johnson reached a deal with Democrats that largely mirrored what McCarthy had agreed to months earlier. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mirror.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mirour "object with a reflective surface, reflection, model of conduct," borrowed from Anglo-French mirur, mireour, from mirer "to look at" (going back to Latin mīrārī "to be surprised, look with wonder at") + -ur, -eour -or entry 1 — more at admire

Verb

derivative of mirror entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mirror was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near mirror

Cite this Entry

“Mirror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mirror. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

mirror

1 of 2 noun
mir·​ror ˈmir-ər How to pronounce mirror (audio)
1
: a smooth or polished surface (as of glass) that forms images by reflection
2
: something that gives a true likeness or description

mirror

2 of 2 verb
1
: to reflect in or as if in a mirror
2
: resemble
her presentation mirrored that of her classmates

Medical Definition

mirror

noun
mir·​ror ˈmir-ər How to pronounce mirror (audio)
: a polished or smooth surface (as of glass) that forms images by reflection

More from Merriam-Webster on mirror

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!